No word on pick for city manager

CHARLES TOWN — The Charles Town City Council made its selection for the position of city manager Monday, but officials won’t name the person until a formal offer has been made.

Three candidates were evaluated during an executive session, which was closed to the public.

Charles Town has been without a city manager since March. City Manager Joe Cosentini left to take a job as town administrator in Thompson’s Station, Tenn., about 30 miles from Nashville.

Charles Town Mayor Peggy Smith said Tuesday the council voted to offer a contract but city leaders have not yet entered into formal negotiations with the candidate.

The council will hold a personnel meeting on Friday.

Smith said she hopes to have a new city manager on the job by June 1. “We hope to get all the terms worked out soon,” she said.

Charles Town received 37 applications for the position and narrowed the field of candidates down to five and then to three, Smith said.

In other matters, the council held a second executive session to discuss a proposed contractual agreement between the city and the Perry family concerning a brownfields site and possible park land.

Charles Town received a brownfields revolving loan fund in 2012 from the Environmental Protection Agency. The city can provide between two and six loans and grants to support cleanup activities for sites contaminated with hazardous substances. Grant funds also will be used for oversight of the program and community outreach activities.

No details on the proposed contract agreement were released.

In other council business, the council approved a program to promote tourism in Charles Town.

Under the terms of the program, Aa Harpers Ferry Park Ranger will be stationed at the Charles Town Courthouse and serve as a guide for tours of local historic sites. The ranger will guide tours weekdays beginning Memorial Day and run from June 1 to August 17. Later in the year, tours will run weekends and holidays. City Clerk Kiya Tabb said the city allocated $11,500 for the program.